An academic and professional development course has been introduced to help first-year chemical engineering students to deal proactively with the transition from secondary school to university and to develop professional skills. The course uses the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a personality model to facilitate skills development and many reflective exercises to encourage students to become self-regulated learners. An attempt has also been made to build a learning community among new and senior students by integrating the course with the department's peer mentoring program.